Do Students Drop Out From College Because Of Finance Or Weak Academic Preparation

December 10th, 2009

College DropoutsMajority of College Dropouts Cite Financial Struggles as Main Cause
The number one reason many young adults drop out of college is an inability to juggle school, work and paying for basic expenses, according to a Public Agenda report. Of students surveyed, 58% said they did not receive financial help from their families to pay tuition or fees, and 69% had no financial aid. The report suggests ways to make it easier for working students to complete school, including allowing part-time students to receive financial aid, scheduling more classes at night and on weekends, reducing tuition and providing child care. (Washington Post, 12/09/09)

As you read this watch out for whether these drop out students who say they have financial problems also have academic problems, that increases their costs because of the need to take remedial noncredit courses. It is not clear from the news reports if financial and academic problems are inter correlated. Moreover, the responses in the report indicate the students who drop out had serious academic problems as well as financial problems, so the media focus on just finance seems misplaced. Let me know what you think.

I am currently doing my dissertation on factors that lead to drop out among students in Malaysia. I have read the report you attached and i have to say, financial problems contribute only about 40% to this issue. mainly failure is because of poor academic performance. Most of the dropouts I have interviewed said that they would have stayed in the college if their preparation was better.

The main cause of students dropping or stopping is finance. Going to college is very expensive. It is an good but expensive investment. It no joke when you are in college because it is one of the major factors of your future. But when money becomes a problem, it all goes down. It’s getting harder to go to college because of the crisis occurring. And adding to financial problems is students are not that prepared this days going to college. I don’t know why, but as I observe students these days they are more relaxed, more unfocused which is bad because competitors for jobs from other countries are getting tougher. I hope students would also give notice to these situation. And also with the help of people around them.

I have seen a lot more than just not being able to afford college. I dropped out because I was bored and have seen friends graduate just to fight for an underpaid job. I dropped out, and formed my own company and creatde jobs. Internet Marketing SEO Company LGS